Zabul governor's spokesman Gul Islam Sial said 6 soldiers were killed as a result of clashes between security forces and the Taliban in Arghandab district.

Security officials in the Ghor, Herat, Faryab, Badghis, Jawzjan, Daikundi and Helmand provinces also reported casualties suffered by the Taliban. They said 49 insurgents were killed and 43 other wounded. They say key Taliban commanders are also among those killed.

Jawzjan Police Chief Abdul Wahed Wajdan said several Taliban attacks on a number of districts in the province were repelled last night.

According to him, 5 members of the Taliban group were killed in the most recent raids in Qurghin district.